The history of Italian opera is indissociable from Manuel Garcia and his children who have shone in the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Balfe, and Gounod to name but a few. They established themselves as icons of the 19th century whose culture and societal life the sisters Maria, known as La Malibran, and Pauline, wife of Louis Viardot, dominated like {…}
(Credit: City Lyric Opera official website) The City Lyric Opera has canceled the final two performances of Viardot’s “Cendrillon.” “It is with immense sorrow that we have elected to cancel the final two performances of Viardot’s ‘Cendrillon.’ The safety of our cast, crew, orchestra, and audience members is our top priority and we want to ensure that everyone stays safe {…}
City Lyric Opera is set to present the New York premiere of Pauline Viardot’s “Cinderella” this holiday season. The performances, which are set for Dec. 16-18 at A.R.T. New York, will feature Shaina Martinez-Azzopardi in the title role, with tenor Nicholas Huff as the Prince. Other cast members include Linda Collazo, Allie Altieri, Corey Don, and Joseph Parrish. Rose Freeman {…}
On Nov. 1, 2021, Guildhall School’s Opera will present a double bill of Bizet’s “Le Docteur Miracle” and Pauline Viardot’s “Cendrillon.” The production will fulfill Viardot’s desire with a new chamber orchestration by Amy Crankshaw, Guildhall doctoral composer and a graduate of the school’s MA Opera Making & Writing program presented in an association with the Royal Opera House. The {…}
Several French organizations have unveiled performances and events celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of famed mezzo-soprano and composer Pauline Viardot. First up, the European Center of Music and l’Opéra-Comique are teaming up to present several unique performances and masterclasses at the Salle Flavert. The organizations will present a masterclass featuring Dame Felicity Lott as well as a concert {…}
This December, Northern Opera Group is set to produce a filmed adaptation of Pauline Viardot’s “Cinderella.” The film is directed by Sophie Gilpin and conducted by Chris Pelly, with Claire Wild in the title role and Nicholas Watts as the Prince. This production will blend on-site filming with a digital chorus of pre-recorded singers, who will be edited into the {…}
(Photo: Paula Malone) “Cinderella” is a popular subject for operas, and has attracted its fair share of composers over the years. However, one of the lesser known compositions must be by the French composer, Pauline Viardot, who today, is largely remembered as a famous mezzo-soprano for whom Gounod and Meyerbeer created important roles. However, her influence went much further, for {…}
Pauline Viardot was more than just a famed singer of her time. Today, she’s also increasingly remembered as a skilled composer. Born on July 18, 1821 in Paris, she grew up with a musical family. Her father was a tenor, a singing teacher, a composer, and an impresario. Her sister was a professional singer. She spent her childhood traveling and {…}
Opera Ithaca announced today its 2019–20 season, including three operas and the return of The Edward M. Murray International Competition of Voice. The season opens with Puccini’s “La Bohème,” under the baton of Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Music Director Cornelia Laemmli Orth. The opera will feature the return of soprano Megan Nielson as Mimì, baritone SeungHyeon Baek as Marcello, and bass Marc Webster as {…}